Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An electrowetting display device comprising: a plurality of pixel areas arranged to define a plurality of rows of pixel areas, wherein each pixel area comprises: a hydrophobic surface; an electrowetting oil; a fluid that includes an electrolyte; a pixel electrode under the hydrophobic surface; and a thin film transistor coupled to the pixel electrode and a voltage source, wherein the pixel area is operated by applying a voltage via the thin film transistor and the voltage source to the hydrophobic surface via the pixel electrode in conjunction with a common electrode such that the voltage causes the hydrophobic surface to become more hydrophilic, allowing the fluid that includes the electrolyte to move onto the hydrophobic surface to substantially displace a portion of the electrowetting oil on the hydrophobic surface; a plurality of gate lines, wherein each gate line is connected to the thin film transistors of at least some of the pixel areas in a respective row of the plurality of rows; and a gate driver coupled to the plurality of gate lines and configured to: define a first block of rows of the plurality of rows of the pixel areas based at least in part on a predetermined driving scheme; define a second block of rows of the plurality of rows of the pixel areas based at least in part on the predetermined driving scheme; during a first input frame: during a first subframe, reset the first block and the second block in a first order via first write actions to the gate lines; during a subsequent second subframe, charge the first block and the second block in the first order to display first data values via second write actions to the gate lines, the first data values associated with the first input frame; and during a second input frame subsequent to the first input frame: during a third subframe, reset the first block and the second block in a second order via third write actions to the gate lines, wherein the second order is different from the first order; and during a subsequent fourth subframe, charge the first block and the second block in the second order to display second data values via fourth write actions to the gate lines, the second data values associated with the second input frame.
An electrowetting display has pixels arranged in rows, each pixel with a hydrophobic surface, electrowetting oil, an electrolyte fluid, a pixel electrode, and a transistor. Applying voltage changes the surface's hydrophobicity, moving the electrolyte and displacing the oil. Gate lines connect to transistors in each row. A gate driver divides the rows into blocks based on a driving scheme. In a first frame, blocks are reset and then charged in a specific order to display data. In a subsequent frame, the blocks are reset and charged in a DIFFERENT order to display new data. This alternating block order helps improve image quality.
2. The electrowetting display device of claim 1 , wherein: the gate driver is configured to define a plurality of blocks of sequentially numbered rows of the plurality of rows based on the predetermined driving scheme being a block driving scheme; and the plurality of blocks comprises the first block and the second block.
The electrowetting display from the previous description, where the gate driver groups sequentially numbered rows into blocks. This is based on a "block driving scheme" where adjacent rows are in the same block. The first and second blocks are part of this sequential arrangement, meaning row 1 is in block 1, row 2 is in block 1 (depending on the block size), and so on. The blocks contain consecutive rows of pixels.
3. The electrowetting display device of claim 1 , wherein: the gate driver is configured to define a plurality of blocks of interlaced numbered rows of the plurality of rows based on the predetermined driving scheme being an interlaced driving scheme; and the plurality of blocks comprises the first block and the second block.
The electrowetting display from the first description, where the gate driver groups interlaced rows into blocks. This uses an "interlaced driving scheme" where every Nth row is in the same block (e.g., rows 1, 5, 9 in block 1). The first and second blocks use this interlaced arrangement. For instance, block 1 may contain rows 1, 5, 9... while block 2 contains rows 2, 6, 10...
4. A display device comprising: a plurality of pixel areas arranged in rows and columns; and a driver that drives rows of pixel areas of the display device during input frames, wherein the driver is configured to: drive the rows of pixel areas using a driving scheme that selects and drives multiple blocks during respective subframes of the input frames, each block comprising multiple rows of pixel areas; determine, randomly, a first order of driving the multiple blocks for a first input frame of the input frames; determine, randomly, a second order of driving the multiple blocks for a second input frame of the input frames, wherein the second order is different from the first order; at least partly during the first input frame, for blocks of the multiple blocks in the first order: at least partly during a respective first subframe, reset the block; and at least partly during a respective, subsequent second subframe, charge the block to display respective first data associated with the first input frame; and at least partly during the second input frame, for blocks of the multiple blocks in the second order: at least partly during a respective third subframe, reset the block; and at least partly during a respective, subsequent fourth subframe, charge the block to display respective second data associated with the second input frame.
A display has pixels in rows and columns, driven by a driver that selects blocks of rows during subframes of input frames. The driver randomly picks an order to drive these blocks for each frame. For a first input frame, blocks are reset in a first order, then charged to show data. For a second frame, blocks are reset in a DIFFERENT random order, then charged to show new data. The order changes between frames.
5. The display device of claim 4 , wherein rows of pixel areas are arranged in the multiple blocks having sequentially numbered rows.
The display device from the previous block driving description uses multiple blocks that contain sequentially numbered rows of pixel areas. For example, rows 1-N are in block 1, rows N+1 to 2N are in block 2, and so on, implementing a standard sequential block layout.
6. The display device of claim 4 , wherein: the multiple blocks comprise four blocks, there are 512 rows of pixel areas, a first block of rows includes rows 1-128, a second block of rows includes rows 129-256, a third block of rows includes rows 257-384, and a fourth block of rows includes rows 385-512.
The display device from the block driving description has four blocks with 512 rows of pixels. Block 1 includes rows 1-128, block 2 includes rows 129-256, block 3 includes rows 257-384, and block 4 includes rows 385-512. This creates four equal-sized, contiguous blocks covering the entire display.
7. The display device of claim 4 , wherein the driver comprises barrel shift registers.
The display device from the block driving description uses barrel shift registers in the driver. These registers are used to efficiently shift and select the correct rows/blocks for writing during each subframe, enabling fast switching between blocks.
8. The display device of claim 4 , wherein the rows of pixel areas are arranged in the multiple blocks having interlaced numbered rows.
The display device from the block driving description uses multiple blocks containing interlaced numbered rows. This means the rows in each block are not consecutive, but rather selected at regular intervals (e.g., every 4th row).
9. The display device of claim 8 , wherein: the at least two blocks comprise four blocks, the driver comprises a barrel shifter that includes four barrel shift registers, there are 512 rows of pixel areas, a first block of rows includes rows 1, 5, 9, . . . , 509, a second block of rows includes rows 2, 6, 10, . . . , 510, a third block of rows includes rows 3, 7, 11, . . . , 511, and a fourth block of rows includes rows 4, 8, 12, . . . , 512.
The display device using interlaced row blocks and four blocks has a driver with four barrel shift registers. The display has 512 rows. Block 1 contains rows 1, 5, 9...509; block 2 contains rows 2, 6, 10...510; block 3 contains rows 3, 7, 11...511; and block 4 contains rows 4, 8, 12...512. Each block selects every fourth row.
10. A method of driving data signals for pixel areas of an electrowetting device using a driving scheme, the method comprising: dividing a gate driver of the electrowetting device into at least two blocks; based upon the driving scheme, organizing rows of pixel areas of the electrowetting device into the at least two blocks, each of the at least two blocks including a plurality of the rows of pixel areas; at least partly during a first frame time, for each of the at least two blocks in a first order: at least partly during a corresponding first subframe, resetting the block via first write actions; and at least partly during a subsequent corresponding second subframe, charging the block to display data values via second write actions, the data values associated with a first input frame for providing data signals to pixel areas of the electrowetting device; and at least partly during a second frame time, for each of the at least two blocks in a second order different from the first order: at least partly during a corresponding first subframe, resetting the block via third write actions; and at least partly during a subsequent corresponding second subframe, charging the block to display data values via fourth write actions, the data values associated with a second input frame for providing data signals to pixel areas of the electrowetting device.
A method for driving pixels in an electrowetting display divides the gate driver into blocks. Rows of pixels are organized into these blocks based on a driving scheme. During a first frame, each block is reset and then charged in a specific order to display data. During a second frame, the blocks are reset and charged in a DIFFERENT order. This changes the refresh pattern from frame to frame.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the driving scheme is a block driving scheme and organizing rows of pixel areas of the electrowetting device comprises arranging the rows of pixel areas into blocks of sequentially numbered rows.
The method from the driving scheme description uses a block driving scheme. This means that the rows of pixel areas are arranged into blocks of sequentially numbered rows, like rows 1-10 in block 1, rows 11-20 in block 2, etc. The rows in each block are contiguous.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least two blocks comprise four blocks, there are 512 rows of pixel areas, a first block of rows includes rows 1-128, a second block of rows includes rows 129-256, a third block of rows includes rows 257-384, and a fourth block of rows includes rows 385-512.
The method from the driving scheme description where a block driving scheme is used utilizes four blocks for 512 rows of pixels. Rows 1-128 form block 1, 129-256 form block 2, 257-384 form block 3, and 385-512 form block 4.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the driving scheme is an interlaced driving scheme and organizing rows of pixel areas of the electrowetting device comprises arranging the rows of pixel areas into blocks of interlaced numbered rows.
The method from the driving scheme description uses an interlaced driving scheme. This means rows are arranged into blocks with interlaced numbering. Block 1 might be rows 1, 5, 9..., block 2 might be rows 2, 6, 10..., etc.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the at least two blocks comprise four blocks, there are 512 rows of pixel areas, a first block of rows includes rows 1, 5, 9, . . . , 509, a second block of rows includes rows 2, 6, 10, . . . , 510, a third block of rows includes rows 3, 7, 11, . . . , 511, and a fourth block of rows includes rows 4, 8, 12, . . . , 512.
The method from the driving scheme description where an interlaced driving scheme is used utilizes four blocks for 512 rows of pixels. Block 1 includes rows 1, 5, 9, ..., 509; block 2 includes rows 2, 6, 10, ..., 510; block 3 includes rows 3, 7, 11, ..., 511; and block 4 includes rows 4, 8, 12, ..., 512.
15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising varying the driving scheme between an interlaced driving scheme and a block driving scheme.
The method from the driving scheme description further includes changing the driving scheme between interlaced and block driving schemes. This adds another level of dynamic refresh control.
16. The method of claim 10 , further comprising varying an order of driving the at least two blocks during a plurality of input frames.
The method from the driving scheme description further includes varying the order in which the blocks are driven during a series of input frames. The block driving order changes from frame to frame.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein varying the order of driving the at least two blocks during the input frames comprises driving the at least two blocks in a random order from input frame to input frame.
The method from the input frame driving order description specifies that the order of driving blocks is randomized between input frames. This random shuffling of block refresh patterns reduces visual artifacts.
18. A method of driving data signals for pixel areas of an electrowetting device using one or more driving schemes during input frames, the method comprising: dividing a gate driver of the electrowetting device into at least two blocks; based upon the one or more driving schemes, organizing rows of pixel areas of the electrowetting device into the at least two blocks, each of the at least two blocks comprising a respective plurality of the rows of pixel areas; resetting, in a first block order, the at least two blocks of rows of pixel areas via first write actions during a first input frame; charging, in the first block order, the at least two blocks of rows of pixel areas to display data values via second write actions during the first input frame; resetting, in a second block order different from the first block order, the at least two blocks of rows of pixel areas via third write actions during a second input frame; and charging, in the second block order, the at least two blocks of rows of pixel areas to display data values via fourth write actions during the second input frame.
A method for driving an electrowetting display divides the gate driver into at least two blocks, and organizes rows of pixels into these blocks. The blocks are reset and charged in a first order during a first input frame. Then, the blocks are reset and charged in a DIFFERENT order during a second input frame. The block order changes between frames.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein varying an order of driving the at least two blocks during a subsequent input frame with respect to a previous input frame comprises varying the order of driving the at least two blocks from input frame to input frame.
The method from the block driving order description focuses on varying the order in which the at least two blocks are driven in subsequent input frames. The block driving order is changed from one input frame directly to the next.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein varying an order of driving the at least two blocks during a subsequent input frame with respect to a previous input frame comprises varying the order of driving the blocks in a random order from input frame to input frame.
The method of dynamically changing block driving order specifies that the block driving order is varied randomly from frame to frame, enhancing dynamic refresh.
21. The method of claim 18 , further comprising varying between an interlaced driving scheme and a block driving scheme.
The method for an electrowetting display further involves switching between an interlaced driving scheme and a block driving scheme to dynamically control row access.
22. The electrowetting display device of claim 1 , wherein the gate driver is further configured to: define a plurality of blocks of rows of the plurality of rows of the pixel areas, the plurality of blocks of rows comprising the first block of rows and the second block of rows; during the first input frame, charge each block of rows of the plurality of blocks of rows in the first order, each block charged during a respective, different subframe of a first plurality of subframes, the first plurality of subframes comprising the second subframe; and during the second input frame, charge each block of rows of the plurality of blocks of rows in the second order, each block charged during a respective, different subframe of a second plurality of subframes, the second plurality of subframes comprising the fourth subframe.
An electrowetting display device has a gate driver configured to divide the rows into multiple blocks. During a first frame, each block is charged in a specific order during separate subframes. During a second frame, each block is charged in a DIFFERENT order, also during separate subframes. Each block is charged only once per frame.
23. The electrowetting display device of claim 22 , wherein the electrowetting display device is configured to charge each pixel area to a corresponding display data value during only one subframe of the first plurality of subframes, and during only one subframe of the second plurality of subframes.
The electrowetting display from the previous block charging description is configured so that each pixel area is charged to its specific display data value during ONLY one subframe of the frame. This optimizes drive timing.
24. The electrowetting display device of claim 3 , wherein the gate driver is configured to perform at least one of the first write actions, the second write actions, the third write actions, or the fourth write actions with respect to fewer than all of the gate lines.
The electrowetting display using interlaced row blocks allows the gate driver to perform some write actions on only a subset of the gate lines, not necessarily all of them. This reduces the power required to write to the display.
25. The display device of claim 4 , wherein the driver is configured to: define a first plurality of subframes during the first input frame, the first plurality of subframes comprising the respective second subframes for the blocks of the multiple blocks; define a second plurality of subframes during the second input frame, the second plurality of subframes comprising the respective fourth subframes for the blocks of the multiple blocks; during each subframe of the first plurality of subframes, charge a respective, different block of the multiple blocks, wherein each block of the multiple blocks is driven in the first order during the first input frame; and during each subframe of the second plurality of subframes, drive a respective, different block of the multiple blocks, wherein each block of the multiple blocks is driven in the second order during the second input frame.
The display device dynamically configures the subframes in each input frame. It defines a set of subframes for the first input frame where each subframe charges a different block in a specific (first) order. Then it defines another set of subframes for the second input frame where each subframe charges a different block in a DIFFERENT (second) order. The driving order between frames is reconfigured.
26. The display device of claim 8 , wherein the driver is configured to, during at least one subframe of the respective second subframes or the respective fourth subframes, drive fewer than all of the multiple rows associated with the respective block.
In the display device using interlaced row blocks, the driver can drive fewer than all of the rows associated with a respective block in a subframe. This might be used for power saving or to implement more complex drive schemes.
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October 24, 2017
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